The 8 Best Sous Vide Machines to Help You Channel Your Inner Chef
These are the top sous vide machines on the market, according to our testers.
Delish editors handpick every product we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.
Move over slow cookers: Sous vide is the latest trend sweeping the food world. Using a water bath heated to a consistent, low temperature, sous vide cooking allows your food to cook slowly and reach the exact ideal doneness, which means no overcooked food—ever. The best part? You can walk away after dropping your fish, steak, or other protein in the water bath and let your immersion circulator handle the rest (similar to your slow cooker or Instant Pot).
With all of the models on the market, it can be overwhelming to figure out which sous vide is right for you. To help you decide, we've rounded up eight of the best sous vide immersion circulators to buy right now, based on factors like how long each takes to heat up, how easy or intuitive it is to use, and if it can be clipped easily onto any size pot.
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Pro
The precision cooker pros at Anova made this model that heated our water bath in record time and maintained the set temperature within 0.1 degrees. Another perk of the Pro is its detachable clamp, which can secure to any depth of pot. The large touchscreen control panel is extremely intuitive, and the device is also WiFi-enabled for compatibility with the Anova app. While the manual is thorough with cute little instructional photos, the app also includes presets that can act as your cooking guide and recipe inspiration. Though the timer is extremely quiet and can be hard to hear, it won’t stop circulating until you tell it to, so your food should stay safely at the appropriate temperature once the cook time is complete.
The sleek design of the Joule allows it to fit into your silverware drawer for easy storage. But don’t be fooled — it doesn’t sacrifice any power with size. The Joule heated our water bath faster than most larger models, and while it does have a small clamp, the weighted suction bottom allows it to stand sturdily in any pot. Controls are app-exclusive, but the app is straightforward with accurate time and temp presets. Since you can only control your Joule via the app, you’re relying 100% on your WiFi and phone battery to cook. If the WiFi goes out or your phone dies, you could encounter some issues.
This Instant Pot model got solid ratings all around and can be trusted for all of your basic sous vide needs. It may not be as powerful as some others, but it is sleeker and smaller than most and the control panel was clear and easy to program. The manual has simple instructions and an extremely thorough cooking guide. The circulator maintained the set temperature well to produce perfect chicken, steak, and eggs. To sum it up, the Instant Pot Accu Slim may not be the fastest or the fanciest, but it’ll get the job done. The clamp is attached at a set height, so you may not be able to use it on every pot in your kitchen.
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker Nano
Similar to the Pro, the Anova Precision Cooker Nano is very straightforward to use. It has the same intuitive touchscreen control panel and app compatibility, but this older model is smaller and more sleek. The smaller size does take away some of the power, as it took nearly seven minutes longer to heat a water bath to the same temperature. However, it still works effectively at a much lower price point for sous vide beginners who aren’t ready to commit to the Pro. The manual was also the nicest to browse, with clear drawings and a thorough cooking guide. Unlike the Pro, the Nano has an attached clamp, which means pots must meet a minimum height for it to attach properly.
More than 3,000 people have awarded this sous vide cooker with a four- or five-star rating, so it's safe to assume that it'll deliver on its promise of precision cooking and user-friendly functionality. In fact, many reviewers commend the machine for its simple, one-hand controls that allow you to set and adjust your desired cooking temperature with a push of a button.
You can control the process using the Inkbird Pro app, too, while enjoying access to chef-tested sous vide recipes—free of charge.
This sous vide immersion cooker by Yedi relies on the brand's patented octagonal shape and 160 perforated openings to provide unparalleled heat distribution and temperature control. The result? Meats and veggies that are evenly cooked, each and every time.
Another perk of this particular sous vide cooker is the fact that it arrives in a bundle that includes everything you need—from bags and clips to recipes—to start your journey into sous-vide cooking.
Priced under $70, this 1,100-watt sous vide cooker is a good option for budget-mind home cooks, those trying out sous vide cooking for the first time, or both. The appliance features an easy-to-read, touch-screen LCD display and an advanced chip precise temperature control that can be set within 1°F increments.
The immersible part of the appliance is made from food-grade stainless steel that's easy to clean and can be attached to your container using the included clip.
If it's a perfectly cooked steak you're after, consider this sous vide immersion cooker by KitchenBoss. According to reviews, it brings out the best in beef, resulting in a tender, juicy filet, whether you're cooking up simple sirloin or filet mignon.
The 1,100-watt appliance is powerful enough to heat water to temperatures between 104°F and 194°F—and keep them there—without being overly noisy.
